Women vs. The Myth that Muscle Bulks You Up

Take a good look at that picture.....The women on the left are clearly photo shopped and/or the women in it are taking steroids to get there (dumbest thing you could ever do to your body btw). The one on the right is how it really goes. And just FYI the very far right girl in the blue sports bra is a real fitness model who lifts. Her name is Jamie Eason and I personally follow her as well. Also proof that lifting doesn't bulk you up...look at my previous post labeled "At first they'll ask you why you're doing it, but then they'll ask you how you did it" That picture of me is nothing but lifting with a little bit of cardio mixed. I don't rely on cardio because honestly it gets boring sometimes! I want to see muscle forming!! I  personally, as a woman,  want to know I can kick someones butt and hold my own when defending myself from an attacker should I ever have one come at me again (it's happened once before and I will be damned if it happens again.) You will all learn I do not rely on a man to take care of me.I love my boyfriend, but I don't need him in that sense and he knows it. He actually admires it.  Besides what's running going to do when someone has you in a head lock? You gonna job with your attacker for a few miles??  NOPE!! Ok, off my soap box about self defense :) Seriously though, I rely on my weights and creating resistance to actually see results and protect myself.

One of my best friends and I had this discussion this morning, so I felt the need to share the topic. I don't know how many times I can preach this but lifting does NOT bulk a women up. How you ask?? Women do not have the same amount of testosterone as a man. We will not be bulky like a man if we lift. Muscle burns fat! I will say it again. MUSCLE BURNS FAT!!! Lifting will make you smaller, tighter and you will burn more calories lifting then you will running the treadmill or cutting back calories (which is also not the best idea if you don't know what you're doing). If you can't skip your cardio for a day because you just HAVE to run or you have a goal to run a certain distance, then lift before you go run/walk/jog. You will burn more during your cardio session if you lift before rather than after. I've tried it and it actually does work that way. You will burn more at rest when incorporating lifting into your routine. 

So, for those that like to stereotype and judge, get it out of your head and try it first. Don't knock it til you rock it :) Go to the gym today or tonight and do 3 sets of some type of lifting. I don't care what you choose, but  when you choose something to work on, then stick with it for at least 6 weeks and please tell me you won't see a difference, cause you will! I dare you to tell me you won't! And honestly, if you don't see a difference its because you are eating like crap or cheating your reps. Don't cheat your reps or nutrition plan!!! You are only cheating yourself!! 

If anyone has any suggestions for would like to share their story, please do! I would love to hear it :) 

Remember- patience and consistency is key to any fitness plan. You will not see results overnight. It takes time, but its worth it when you finally get there. It's a lifestyle change. This is something that you can do forever because it adds years to your life and if you are anything like I used to be, it will save you money on medical bills or medical problems. Fitness is preventative of disease and life threatening issues. Get to the gym and if you can't afford it, find workouts to do from home. At least go for a walk if nothing else. If you only have 15 minutes to do something, then that's 15 minutes to getting you healthier!! Why would you waste those 15 minutes?!?!?! You got this! Go get it!

~Ditty